I'm throwing this one out to the community and especially hoping Tom, Sarah, etc might chime in. I have a 30 something young friend who is based in Stuttgart for a month starting now. He has one free weekend off to go somewhere and has asked my opinion. No wheels. My first inclination was Munich, but I usually head for the art and the history. He's a generation younger than I, a superb athlete, and probably needs to have some fun. Where would YOU send him?!
Posted by
Salt Lake City
1528 posts
Munich has a great beer garden culture. Is he interested in that? It also has museums. It is historically the capitol of a German duchy (country). Stuttgart has those things as well.
Nearby Tübingen is know for his old university town atmosphere. Schwäbisch Hall is famous for its medieval town center. Either may interest him or bore him.
It seems to me that you would need a bit more about his likes.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
For a young guy, Tübingen, Ulm or Heidelberg, althouth the universities aren't in session right now. Or, if he wants to do something a little more vigourous, head down to Oberstdorf (the most convenient major Alpine resort from Stuttgart) for paragliding, hiking or mountain biking. If the heat of the summer's getting to him, go to the beaches on the Bodensee to cool off.
Posted by
Columbus, USA
346 posts
I did a 6 week program in college in Germany. We were based in Heidelberg and we ended the program in Berlin and then my hubby and I visited Germany last summer (we are in our late 30s). Some of my favorite places are:
Tubingen (like the previous poster suggested) is a really neat college town. There are also places to hike near by in Bebenhausen. We also went punting on the Neckar river. (Punting is like a gondola ride) I found this site for it: http://tuebingen-info.de/index.php?id=844
Heidelburg had a hopping night life when I was in college. I don't know if this has changed or not.
If he likes wine, there is a lot to do up by Rudesheim/Bacharach.
I loved Munich. There is a ton to do there. There are a lot of young people. Plus he can visit the BMW museum, the olympic stadium, the English Garten, and the bier gartens.
I also really enjoyed Weimar and Jena. I visited there in the late 90s and it was really interesting to see them and experience the "east" I don't know if that feeling still exists, but it was cool.
I don't know how easy it is to get to Berchtesgaden on trains/busses, but it is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. There is a ton of places to go hiking and if he goes on the boat trip, the hike to the upper lake is amazing.
Also while in Stuttgart, the Mercedes Mueseum is amazing. I think it is one of the best Museums I have ever been to and I am not even really a car person. I loved how the exhibit wove what was going on in the world with what cars were being produced. I enjoyed the Porsche museum as well.
Posted by
Danville, VT
12040 posts
"Heidelburg had a hopping night life when I was in college. I don't know if this has changed or not." You will be pleased to know that it still hops.
Posted by
OP
Atlanta
995 posts
Thanks to all of you for these great ideas. I'm going to forward him a link to this page for starters and then send him some links for paragliding and mountain biking in Oberstdorf and bike and beer touring in Munich. I think he may have a tough time making the choice!